Package or container with multiple removable layers

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a packaging system for products, in particular consumer products. The packaging system has a package member configured to receive products and the package member has an outwardly facing external side surface and an inwardly facing internal surface. In addition, the packaging system has a sheet component having a plurality of layers comprising an inner layer having an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being at least partially directly or indirectly connected the external side surface of the package member. The outer face is on the opposite side of the inner layer from the inner face. The sheet component also has an outer layer having a first side and an opposite second side wherein the second side faces away from the external side surface of the package member and the first side faces toward the external side surface of the package member. In addition the outer layer is removable from the inner layer and package member. As a result of the present invention, consumers are provided with a package of products which can be easily cleaned by a consumer or user once the package becomes soiled. In addition, the present invention provides a discreet package of products, including absorbent personal care articles, which allows discretion during the process of purchasing the absorbent personal care articles and after the absorbent personal care products are placed in storage in the home or other living quarters of the user. Also disclosed is a dispenser for products.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a package or a container having outer layers which are removable from an external side surface of the package or container. The present invention further relates to a dispenser for products which has outer layers which are removable from an external side surface of the dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Packaging which contains multiple articles or multiple volumes of a product that are dispensed over time often become soiled or damaged during use, resulting in a package having an unattractive appearance. This is particularly true for consumer products. Many times packages and containers of consumer products, including personal care products, may become soiled or damaged during transportation to a retail store or during storage or display in a retail store, which may result in a package having an unattractive appearance. Consumers are less likely to purchase a package of consumer products when the package is soiled or damaged. When a consumer purchases these soiled or damaged packaging or containers or when the package or container of consumer products becomes soiled or damaged during use, the consumer will often hide or place the soiled or damaged package or container of consumer goods in a location that is not prominent in a household, place of business and the like, such as drawers, closets and cabinets. Articles that are often out of sight are also out of the mind of the user, which can result in less products being used or the consumer in need of the consumer product forgetting to use the consumer products. Forgetting to use the consumer products, especially in the case of absorbent personal care products, can often lead to embarrassing and/or unhealthy situations for the consumers and/or users of these products.

In addition, current packages for personal care products always have indicia on most, if not all, sides of the packages which clearly indicate the contents of the package. As a result of these indicia, the packages with personal care products are often stored in closed storage areas, such as cabinets and drawers, to effectively hide the consumer products, especially personal care products, from the sight of others. This is especially true for absorbent personal care products. However, when these personal care products are placed in closed storage, it is often easy for users to forget to use the products on a daily basis or when the product is needed, especially when the user is pressed for time. Often the absorbent personal care products are stored near the place of use, which is usually a place where privacy is available, such as a bathroom or bedroom. Further, in many older homes, and relatively cramped living quarters, such as college dorms, small apartments and the like, closed storage in bathrooms or bedrooms is many times not available or is available on a limited basis. As a result, many times the absorbent personal care products must be stored in the open and in plain view for others, other than the user, to see. This can lead to embarrassment or unnecessary distress for the user of these products, especially when the user must share a space, such as a bathroom, with a nonuser, including guests. Many times, users of the absorbent personal care product remove the personal care articles from the packaging and place the articles in a more discreet container.

Many consumer products need to have certain indicia, including branding and use information on the packaging in order for the packages of consumer products to be placed in commerce. However, these indicia often lead to packaging or containers which are aesthetically unpleasing to the consumer and user of the consumer products. There is a need in the art to provide consumer products to a consumer in packaging which contains the necessary indicia, while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the consumer. This would allow the consumer to place the package in the open, allowing others to see the package; however the others seeing the package would not know what the package or container contains without opening the package or container.

There is a need in the art to provide a package of consumer products which can be easily cleaned by a consumer or user once the package becomes soiled or damaged. In addition, there is a need in the art to provide a discreet package of personal care articles for purchasers and users of personal care articles, which provides discretion during the process of purchasing the absorbent personal care articles and after the absorbent personal care products are placed in storage in the home or other living quarters of the user. The present invention provides a solution to these problems in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally stated, the present invention provides a packaging system for products. The packaging system has a package member configured to receive products and the package member has an outwardly facing external side surface and an inwardly facing internal surface. In addition, the packaging system has a sheet component having a plurality of layers comprising an inner layer having an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being at least partially directly or indirectly connected the external side surface of the package member. The outer face is on the opposite side of the inner layer from the inner face. The sheet component also has an outer layer having a first side and an opposite second side wherein the second side faces away from the external side surface of the package member and the first side faces toward the external side surface of the package member. In addition, the outer layer is removable from the inner layer and package member.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the sheet component may further have at least one intermediate layer positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer. Each intermediate layer has an inner side and an outer side, the inner side and the outer side being opposite one another and the outer side faces away from the external side surface of the package member. The intermediate layer may also be removable from the inner layer and the external side surface of the package component.

In another embodiment of the present invention, provided is a dispenser for products. The dispenser is a package or container member configured to receive products and the package or container member has an outwardly facing external side surface and an inwardly facing internal surface. In addition, the dispenser has a sheet component having a plurality of layers comprising an inner layer having an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being at least partially directly or indirectly connected the external side surface of the dispenser. The outer face is on the opposite side of the inner layer from the inner face. The sheet component also has an outer layer having a first side and an opposite second side wherein the second side faces away from the external side surface of the dispenser and the first side faces toward the external side surface of the package member. In addition the outer layer is removable from the inner layer and package member. The dispenser of this embodiment of the present invention contains at least two products contained within the dispenser, which are dispensed from the dispenser as needed by a user.

In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the sheet component may be provided separately from the packaging system or dispenser of the present invention. The sheet component has an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer. The inner layer has an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being adapted to be directly or indirectly connected to the external side surface of a dispenser member and the outer face being on an opposite side of the inner layer from the inner face. The outer layer has a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the second side faces away from the inner layer, the outer layer being removable from the inner layer and the at least one intermediate layer. In addition, each intermediate layer has an inner side and an outer side, the inner side and the outer side being opposite one another and the outer side faces away from the inner layer and towards the outer layer. In this embodiment of the present invention, the sheet component is provided as refill for the dispenser, so that the dispenser can be made to look fresh and clean again.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a partial side view of a packaging system of the present invention having an inner and outer layer for the sheet component.

FIG. 2 shows a partial side view of a packaging system of the present invention having a sheet component with an inner layer, a series of intermediate layers and an outer layer.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the packaging system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of another packaging system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 a shows a partial side view of a packaging system of the present invention having a sheet component with an inner layer, a series of intermediate layers and an outer layer, with tabs of FIG. 4 details.

FIG. 5 b shows a front view of the outer layer of the sheet component in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 c shows a front view of an intermediate layer just below the outer layer of the sheet component in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4.

DEFINITIONS

It should be noted that, when employed in the present disclosure, the terms “comprises”, “comprising” and other derivatives from the root term “comprise” are intended to be open-ended terms that specify the presence of any stated features, elements, integers, steps, or components, and are not intended to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “product” is intended to mean an item which is to be used or consumed by a purchaser or user of the products. The term “product” is intended to cover “consumer products” and “professional care products”.

As used herein, the term “consumer products” is intended to mean products which include durable and non-durable goods which are purchase by or for a user of the products. Consumer products are intended to include, by way of example only, food items, health and hygiene items, including absorbent personal care articles, soaps, lotions, detergents, toothpaste, hair care items, facial and bath tissue, and dry and wet wipes and the like.

As used herein, the term “professional care products” includes protective garments, such as surgical drapes, gowns, and sterile wraps, protective gloves, skin care products, topical antimicrobials, patient care compositions, and the like.

As used herein, the phrase “absorbent personal care articles” refers to devices which absorb and contain liquids which may be placed against or near the skin to absorb and contain the various liquids discharged from the body. Examples of personal care products include, for example, diapers, training pants, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, sanitary wipes and feminine hygiene products such as sanitary napkins and tampons.

The term “disposable” is used herein to describe products that are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article after a single use.

As used herein, the term “package member” is intended to mean a component of the package containing products which contains or holds the products. A package member can be a can, a bottle, a carton, a box, a molded article, or a flexible package, each prepared from materials such as, for example, a film, a paper, foil or a combination thereof, and other similar packages or container in which products typically are provided to consumers or users.

As used herein, the term “sheet component” refers to a component which is directly or indirectly attached to an external side surface of the packaging component. Sheet components are thin sheets of one or more materials which cover a portion of the external side surface of the packaging component

As used herein, the term “external side surface” refers to an outer side surface of the packaging component which typically faces away from the products which are contained within the packaging component. The surface may be a top-side wall, a bottom-side wall or side wall of the package member. Depending on the shape of the package members, the number of surfaces may be different for each shape. For example, a can or generally cylindrical bottle would have three external surfaces, the continuous side surface, the top surface and the bottom surface. A cubical box would have six external side surfaces, including the top surface, the bottom surfaces and four side wall surfaces.

The phrase “devoid of any indicia which tends to indicate that the packages has at least one personal care product” is intended to mean that the presence of words, symbols, pictures and other marks which would suggest the possible presence of a personal care product within the container are not present on the defined walls and panels. Examples of indicia intended to be excluded include, brand names, words or phrases normally associated with absorbent articles, such as “liners”, “pantiliners”, “tampons” and the like, or symbols or pictures which depict such personal care articles. It is noted that this phrase is not intended to exclude information or indicia, which does not imply the presence of an absorbent personal care article, for example, but not limited to, flowers, patterns, or pictures not associated with absorbent personal care articles, and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a unique packaging system for products, in particular, consumer products. The packaging system of the present invention provides a “self-cleaning” package for dispensing having a plurality of label-like layers which are adhered to an external side surface of a package member. To gain a better understanding of the present invention, attention is directed to the FIG. 1. Shown in its simplest form in FIG. 1, the packaging system 10 of the present invention has a package member 12 configured to receive products (not shown) and the package member 12 has an outwardly facing external side surface 14 and an inwardly facing internal surface 16. In addition, the packaging system 10 has a sheet component 20 having a plurality of layers and having at least an inner layer 21 and an outer layer 31. The inner layer has an inner face 22 and an outer face 24; the inner face 22 being at least partially directly or indirectly connected the external side surface 14 of the package member 12. The outer face 24 is on the opposite side of the inner layer 21 from the inner face 22. The outer layer 31 of the sheet component 20 has a first side 32 and an opposite second side 34 wherein the second side 34 faces away from the external side surface 14 of the package member 12. In addition, the first side 31 of the external layer faces toward the external side surface 14 of the package member 12. In the present invention, the outer layer 31 of the sheet component 20 is removable from the inner layer 21. Optionally, the inner layer 21 is removable from the external side surface 14 of the packaging member 12.

The sheet component 20 of the present invention may also have one or more optional intermediate layers. Shown in FIG. 2 is a series of optional intermediate layers 40, designated as a first intermediate layer 41, a second intermediate layer 42 and a third intermediate layer 43. Each intermediate layer comprising an inner side 45, 45′ and 45″ and an outer side 47, 47′, 47″, the inner side and the outer side being opposite one another and the outer side faces away from the external side surface 14 of the package member 10. Each of the intermediate layers is removable from the adjacent intermediate layers and the first intermediate layer 41 is removable from the inner layer 21 of the sheet component 20. As is shown in FIG. 2 there are three intermediate layers; however, in the present invention, the sheet component 20 may have any where from 0 to 20 or more intermediate layers and generally between 1 and 8 intermediate layers. The number of intermediate layers is limited by the overall desired thickness of the sheet component. If thicker sheet components are desirable or not undesirable, more intermediate layers may be used. If the thickness of the sheet component is a concern, a smaller number of intermediate layers should be used.

The package member 12 of the present invention may be formed from any material known to those skilled in the art, which are typically used to prepare packaging materials. The package member may be in the form that consumer products typically are provided to consumers including, for example, a bottle, a jug, a tub, a can, a carton, a box, a tube, a bag, a cup and other conventional package members for consumer goods not specifically mentioned in this list. For example, the package can be formed from a rigid material such as cardboard, paperboard, plastic including molded plastic, metal, and the like. Alternatively, the packaging member may be formed from a flexible material including, for example, flexible films, paper, metal foils or a laminate of two or more of these materials and other similar and conventional flexible packaging materials. The material used to form the packaging member is selected on the basis of factors such as cost, the ability of the packaging member to hold the product desired to contain within the packaging system.

The type of package material used should be selected based on the types of products which are going to be stored in the package. The package member 12 may be a molded article, made form several different pieces of the package member 12 material or the package member 12 may be prepared from a unitary piece of material, without departing from the scope of the present invention. If the container is prepared from several different pieces of material, the pieces may be held together using any suitable means, such as adhesives, staples, welds and the like. From the standpoint of ease of construction and cost, it is desirable to prepare the container from a unitary piece of material, particularly when the package material is a flexible packaging material such as a film, or is a molded package material. The actual form or configuration of the package material is not critical to the present invention.

In the present invention, depending on the form of the package, one or more external side surfaces may have the sheet component applied thereto. It is not necessary for each of the external side surfaces of the package member to have a sheet component applied to the surface. A single external side surface may have the sheet component applied thereto or all of the external side surfaces may have the sheet component applied thereto. In another embodiment of the present invention, at least two or more of the external side surfaces have the sheet component applied to the external side surface. In the case of a parallelepiped package member, such as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, its desirable that three to six of the external side surfaces have the sheet component applied thereto.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the package member may also be in the form of a dispenser, which will dispense to the user or consumer a given quantity of the product to the user. Alternatively, the dispenser of the present invention may be formed to allow the user to determine the amount of product needed for a given task. Examples of dispenser usable in the present invention are described in various U.S. patents. The dispenser may have an opening lid as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,179 and U.S. Pat. Des. 465,364. The dispenser may have a pop open lid as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,919; U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,004; U.S. Pat. Des. 465,364; and U.S. Pat. Des. 465,685. Alternatively, the dispenser may be a film dispenser with a rigid flip top as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,220. Other dispenser packages may also be used in conjunction with the present invention.

The sheet component has various layers of material. Suitable materials for each of the layers include but are not limited to, polymeric plastic films, foils, paper, paper composites, knitted or woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics and the like, or a combination thereof. Suitable materials can be made from polymeric materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, ethylene vinyl acetate polyvinyl chloride and the like, as well as any combination thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention, the material is a low density polyethylene (LDPE) film. Each layer of the sheet material may be the same material or may be each layer may be prepared from different materials. The materials for the sheet component should be selected so that the layers may be separated from one another without damaging the remaining underlying layer or layers. Alternatively, the materials for each layer may be selected on the basis of the desired function for each layer.

Each of the layers of the sheet component may be attached or adhered to one another through known means, such as using an adhesive between the individual layers of the materials making up the sheet component of the packaging system. Suitable adhesives include pressure sensitive adhesives, and other similar adhesives that will release the layers of the sheet component from one another. The adhesive may be applied to the entire surface of each layer, or a portion of each layer. For example, if the adhesive is only applied to a portion of a given layer, the adhesive may be applied to the periphery of the given layer or provide on the given layer in a discontinuous fashion. An example of discontinuous application the adhesive is to apply the adhesive in spots or discreet locations on the given layer of the sheet component.

In another embodiment of the present invention, to aid in the release of the layers from one another, each layer or some of the layers of the sheet component may have one or both surfaces coated with a release composition. The release composition will reduce the peel strength, thereby reducing the force needed to release the layers from one another. Suitable release compositions can include silicone and/or polytetrafluoroethylene as the release agent. Other suitable release agents know to those skilled in the art may also be used without departing from present invention.

As an alternative to using an adhesive to join the layers of the sheet component together, other means may be used including, for example electrostatic forces (commonly referred to as “static cling”). Examples of materials which have static cling include, for example, polyolefin films and other similar films. In addition, film materials may be treated to impart electrostatic charges to the film. Another alternative is to use cohesives adhesives. Many cohesive adhesives are known in the art and are commercially available.

In another embodiment of the present invention, each subsequent layer of the sheet component between the outer layer and the inner layer has higher peel strength than the previous layer. Stated another way, as the layers of the sheet component become closer to the package, each layer is more aggressively held to the next subjacent layer. That is, the peel strength of a layer closer to the package is higher than a layer closer to the outer layer of the sheet component. This may help ensure that one layer at a time is removed from the sheet component at a time and that multiple layers are not removed together, unless the user desires to remove multiple layers at the same time. Increasing the peel strength between the layers may be accomplished in a variety of mutually exclusive ways, including for example, using different adhesives between the layers with more aggressive adhesives being used between the layers closest to the package. Other methods included using the same adhesive between all of the layers and increasing the adhesive coverage between the layers as the layers get closer to the package, or the amount of the release agent between the layers is reduced as the layers or release agent is changed between the layer as the layers get closer to the package. A combination of one or more of these methods may be used to increase the peel strength between the subsequent layers of the sheet component.

To further assist the user or consumer in removing each of the layers, each layer may contain a tab area which is not attached to the next adjacent layer. Attention is directed to FIGS. 3 and 4 which shows a perspective view of a package system 10 of the present invention. The tab 50 is a free area which will allow the user to grab or pinch the outermost layer and peel the layer away from the underlying layers. The tabs 50 may be configured such that only one layer can be removed at a time or that several layers could be removed at the same time. As is shown in FIG. 3, the tab 50 is placed in a corner of the layers and each tab 50 for the underlying layers is also located under the tab 50 for the top layer. As is shown in FIG. 4, the tabs 50 are along an edge of a surface of the package member. In this configuration, the consumer or user of the products select which layer of the sheet component that the consumer wished to display on the outside of the package, so that the package could be matched to the décor of a room in which the package is being used. By having the series of tabs 50, the consumer is given the opportunity to preview each of the layers of the sheet component 20. Each of the tabs 50 of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be provided with pattern, color, indicia providing information on each individual layer or indicia on how to remove the layers of the sheet component. The tab 50 configuration of FIG. 3 has an advantage over the tab 50 configuration of FIG. 4 in that any pattern or configuration shown advantage over the tab 50 configuration of FIG. 4 in that any pattern or configuration shown in each layer is only seen by the customer, user or causal observer of the package by separating the tabs. In contrast, the tab 50 configuration shown in FIG. 4 has the advantage of allowing easier access to the tabs 50 to the consumer. Either tab 50 configuration may be used in the present invention, or other tab configurations, such as, for example, tabs extending beyond the outer edge of the package 12. Other tab configuration not explicitly shown or stated herein may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Essentially, the tabs are provided as an easy to use mechanism for separating the layer of the sheet component from one another.

The tabs are created using any means known to those skilled in the art. One means, and the desired means for the purposes of the present invention is not to place adhesive in the area of the tabs 50. By not placing adhesives in the tab area, the individual layers can be easily separated from one another in the tab 50 location. Another method would be to place a less aggressive adhesive, i.e. and adhesive with a low shear strength in the area of the tabs 50. In addition to or separately, a release agent which is not receptive to adhesives may be placed on the tab area of each of the layers.

Regarding the tab configuration shown in FIG. 4, these tabs can be prepared by shaping each of the layers at the end as is show in FIG. 5 a. In FIG. 5 a, tabs 501-508 inclusive is becomes larger on each successive layer. Again, each of the tabs 501-508 inclusive is desirably free from the underlying layer such that each tab can be grasped by the user or consumer to remove the upper layer or layer from the sheet component. To gain a better understanding of this tab configuration, attention is directed to FIGS. 5 b and 5 c. In the outer layer 31 with tab 501 shown in FIG. 5 b, the tab 501 has a smaller area that the underlying intermediate layer 40, with tab 502, shown in FIG. 5C. Each successive layer has a tab which is larger that previous or upper layer. That is tab 508 is larger than tab 507, which is larger than tab 506, which in turn is larger than tab 505, which is larger than tab 504, which is larger than tab 503, which is larger than tab 502.

One of the advantages provided by the present invention is that the outer surface of the packaging system has the ability to always look clean, sanitary and/or unsoiled in addition to being clean and sanitary. By providing multiple layers in the sheet component, as the outermost layer becomes soiled, the outermost layer may be removed by the consumer exposing one of the other layers of the sheet component, providing an aesthetically pleasing outer surface. In a similar manner, as the outer surface of the newly exposed layer becomes soiled during use, that layer may be removed by the consumer exposing the next layer. This process may be repeated until the external side surface to the package member of the packaging system is reached, if the external side surface of the package is suitable for display. Alternatively, the inner layer 21 may be permanently attached to the external side surface of the package member, such that the inner layer is intended to be removed from the package member.

As is shown in FIG. 3, the sheet component may cover an area of the external side surface of the package 14 which is smaller than the external area of the surface of the package. In contrast, in FIG. 4, the sheet component may be coextensive with each of the external side surfaces of the package member.

Each of the layers of the sheet component may have different features and serve a different function. Suitable features include an ornamental design; indicia indicating information about the product in the package component, including brand, trademarks and/or information regarding how to use the product; a coupon for the next purchase of the product within the package component; indicia providing information or an advertisement for a different product than the product within the package component; a coupon for a product different than the product in the package component; having indicia which tends to indicate the contents of the package component; being clear; or have combination of these features. Each layer of the sheet component may be the same or each layer may be different. Many different configurations of the layers may be used, depending on the nature and content of the products contained in the packaging system and the desired effect to be achieved for the layers under the outer layer of the sheet component.

In addition, each of the layers could be provided with features that assist the user in the use of the product contained within the packaging system. For example, in the case of health and hygiene products, each of the layers may be provided with antimicrobial additives, to help prevent contamination of sanitary or hygienic articles contained within the packaging system. Examples of antimicrobial additive include, for example, quanternary ammonium compounds, phenol, benzoic acid, triclosan, parabens, sorbic acid, zeolites, zinc pyrithone and the like. Likewise, the layer of the sheet component may be selected for it properties, for example, breathability, stain resistance, water resistance, oil resistance and the like.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer layer 30 may have indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the package system. The indicia may include items such as branding, trademarks and description of the products contained within the package. The inner layer 20 is devoid of any indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the package system. In addition, any intermediate layers, if present, are also devoid of any indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the packaging system. In this embodiment, the inner layer 20 may have an ornamental design which is aesthetically pleasing to the consumer. By providing the inner layers and any intermediate layer without indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the packaging system, the consumer may be able to remove the outer layer of the sheet material and discretely store the packaging system in the open, without others knowing what is contained within the packaging system. In the alternative, one or more of the intermediate layers and the liner layer may each, individually contain indicia which indicate the contents of the package. Whether intermediate layers or the inner layer has indicia is dependent of the purpose or function of the intermediate layers, compared to the outer layer or the inner layer.

In addition, the outer layer 31 may be made to be removable by the consumer prior to purchase to provide a discreet shopping experience. Many times, the purchase of items such as absorbent personal care articles, some over the counter medications and the like, can be an embarrassing or traumatic experience for the purchaser of these items, since these items often have a stigma associated with the purchase of these times. These products are typically packaged in a manner such that there is no question to users and non-users as to what the package contains. As a result, the consumer or purchaser of absorbent personal care articles is not provided with a discreet way to purchase the absorbent personal care article or over-the-counter medications. By providing the consumer with a way to remove the outer labeling of the package or container of these types of items prior to purchase, the consumer or purchaser of these items may be provided with a discreet way to purchase items at a retail store that could lead to embarrassment, anxiousness and a traumatic experience for the consumer or purchaser.

In the case where the outer layer 31 is intended to be removed prior to purchase, the layer of the sheet component immediately below the outer layer, whether an intermediate layer 40 or the inner layer 21 of the sheet component should have necessary information or indicia, such as a price sticker, RFID tag or a barcode to allow the retailer price or identify the item at the time of purchase. In this manner, the package can be accurately scanned or priced at the check out counter or point of purchase without having to open the package to see the contents of the package, or requiring the customer to carry the removed outer layer to the check out counter or point of purchase. In an alternative embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the necessary information or indicia, such as a price sticker or a barcode to allow the retailer price or identify the item at the time of purchase, may be part of the outer layer which is permanently attached to the next adjacent layer such that the permanently attached portion is not removed when the outer layer 31 is removed from the next adjacent layer. Permanent attachment may be accomplished through the selection of the adhesive used to attach a portion of the outer layer 31 to the next adjacent layer. The portion of the outer layer 31 which is permanently attached to the next adjacent layer may be separated from the remainder of the outer layer 31 by providing score lines or perforations to assist the separation. In another alternative, the necessary information or indicia, such as a price sticker or a barcode to allow the retailer price or identify the item at the time of purchase, may be provided on the second layer, and the portion of the removable outer layer 31 covering the information or indicia may be clear. In another alternative, the necessary information or indicia may be place on a portion of the packaging system which is not removed.

The underlying layers may have decorative designs including some or all of the intermediate layers 40 and the inner layer 21. Each layer may have the same decorative design or each layer may have different decorative designs. In one example, the color of each of the underlying layers may be different so the consumer or user of the products can select an appropriate color which will match their décor in the room the package system is stored. In the alternative, only the inner layer may be provide with a decorative design and all of the intermediate layers, if present, are clear intermediate layers, allowing the underlying inner layer design to be seen on the exterior surface of the packaging system. Typically, the clear intermediate layers will be a clear film material. As another alternative, the external side surface of the package component may be provided with a decorative design and each of the intermediate layers and the inner layer is provided with a clear material, such that the decorative design on the package component may be seen on the exterior surface by the user through the clear layers. Other combination of clear and decorative layers may be used and are within the scope of the present invention. For example, several clear layers separated by decorative layers may be used. In addition, if the outside of the package has a decorative feature, even the inner layer may be clear. Any possible combination of decorative and clear layer may be used without departing from the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, a decorative layer is subjacent one or more clear layers.

In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the intermediate layers or the inner layer may be directed to communicating a desired message to the user. The message can be related to a product message, educational materials regarding various subjects such as health, fashion, general life tips, a benefit communication, an incentive message or the like, as well as combinations thereof. Further, the message may be intended to establish and/or nurture a business relationship between a seller of the absorbent articles and the consumer. For example, one of the layers of the sheet component may be a redemption certificate or information which provides a communication pertaining to a contest, a prize, a sweepstakes, a code or registration number for use with a computer internet website or the like, as well as combinations thereof.

The selective removability of one or more the removable layers by the consumer or user of the products contained within the packaging system, will reveal the redemption certificate or communication to the user. Generally, the redemption certificate or communication to the user will be located in the layer immediately behind the outer layer of the sheet component. The redemption certificate or information layer may provide an improved and more effective system for providing auxiliary benefits or communication to a consumer. The packaging system can communicate messages that are intended to attract and maintain the loyalty of consumers, and can provide enhanced effectiveness, particularly with younger consumers who have a preference for computer based communications or for other types of electronic communications. The communications can be better targeted to selected audiences and to consumers having selected levels of interest. The intended communications with the consumer can be conducted in greater privacy, and can be readily continued with modern technologies, such as electronic, e-mail and other types of internet-based communications.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the message or redemption certificate could be placed on the first side of the outer layer of the sheet component. By placing the message or redemption certificate on the first side of the other layer, the message or redemption certificate will become visible to the user who removes the outer layer of the sheet material.

The sheet component of the packaging system may be configured such that the movement, removal or other change in relative position of the removable layer causes a corresponding movement, removal or other change in relative position of the redemption certificate. When the position of the removable layer is operatively changed to reveal the next layer of the sheet component, the position of the entire redemption certificate or the position of a significant portion of the redemption certificate is modified by the positional change of the removable layer. Thus, the user can more immediately come in operational, communicative contact with the removable layer, and the user's attention can be more effectively drawn to the message or the redemption certificate. The configurations of the present invention can be particularly beneficial when relaying messages such as those related to a product benefit or a purchasing incentive.

As another example, the aid can be given to the user to recognize the redemption certificate or information can include a code or text provided by a color-shifting ink or an ink that becomes activated and visible to human sight when the ink has been exposed to selected wavelengths of light or change of viewing angle. Still another example of such change in the recognition ability can include a code or text which has been provided by a pattern of ink, adhesive or other coating, and which subsequently becomes revealed after the redemption certificate or information has been removed from the packaging system. Other means for directing the user's attention to the redemption certificate include placing a hologram or other similar image on the redemption certificate or information.

In another embodiment of the present invention, one or more layers of the sheet component may be provided with a fragrance or an aroma. In this embodiment of the present invention, the customer or user of the product may be able to select the desired aroma or fragrance by selecting a particular layer of the sheet component. As the layer is removed, the aroma or fragrance is released from the sheet and into the surrounding atmosphere. In this embodiment of the present invention, the aroma or fragrance could be incorporated into layers using techniques known to those skilled in the art. The aroma or fragrance could be incorporated into the adhesive which holds the layer of the sheet component together, applied as a coating to the individual layers of the sheet component, or the like. One particularly useful method would to be to use microcapsule containing the aroma or fragrance, wherein the microcapsules are broken when a layer is removed from the sheet component.

In this embodiment of the present invention, any of the layers of the sheet component may contain the aroma or fragrance. However, in order to contain the aroma or fragrance prior so that the aroma or fragrance is released at the desired time of the place of use by the consumer or user, it is desirable that one or more of the inner or the intermediate layers contain aroma or fragrance, when present. Each layer could have the same aroma or fragrance or each layer could have a different aroma or fragrance. The tabs, described above, could be used to convey to the consumer or user the fragrance which is present in each of the layers, if more than one fragrance is used in the packaging system.

The aromas that are used can be any suitable aroma known in the art. For example, the aromas may include one or more essential oils. Essential oils are highly odoriferous, liquid components obtained from plant tissue (e.g., flowers, bark, leaves, seeds, roots, etc.), often captured by steam distillation or other processes and typically include a mixture of one or more terpenes, esters, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, phenols, and/or oxides, for example. Commonly used essential oils include those derived from angelica root, anise, balsam (Peru or other balsams), basil, bay laurel, beeswax, benzoin, bergamot, bois-de-rose, boronia, cajeput, cardamom, carrot seed, cedarwood (Atlas or Virginian), chamomile (German or Roman), cinnamon, citronella, clary sage, clove bud, coriander, cypress, dill, elemi, eucalyptus, fennel, fir needle, frankincense, galbanum, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, helichrysum, hyssop, immortelle, jasmine, juniper berry, kanuka, lavender, lavendin, lemon, lemongrass, lime, linden blossom, mandarin, manuka, marjoram, may chang, myrrh, myrtle, neroli, niaouli, nutmeg, oakmoss, olibanum, orange (bitter or sweet), oregano, palmarosa, parsley, patchouli, pepper, peppermint, petitgrain, pine (Scotch, white, or Siberian), ravensara, rose, rosemary, rosewood, sandalwood, spearmint, spikenard, spruce, tagetes, tangerine, tea tree (common, lemon, or New Zealand), thyme, tobacco, tuberose, vanilla, vetiver, violet leaf, yarrow, ylang ylang, and so forth. Further information on essential oils and other herbal extracts that can be considered for use in the present invention are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,751, issued Aug. 28, 2001 to Fletcher and Hargreaves and in US 2004/0071757, published Apr. 15, 2004 by D. Rolf, both of which are herein incorporated by reference.

In addition to essential oils, the fragrances used in the present invention can also include other natural products or extracts such as absolutes, resinoids, resins etc., and synthetic compositions as well as mixtures of synthetic and natural fragrances. Synthetic fragrance components may include, by way of example, hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones ethers, acids, esters, acetals, ketals, nitrites, phenols, etc. including saturated and unsaturated compounds, aliphatic, alicyclic, heterocyclic and aromatic compounds. Examples of such perfume components are given by D. H. Pybus and C. S. Sell in The Chemistry of Fragrances (Springer Verlag, 1999).

In one embodiment, the fragrance has additional functionality such as serving as an antimicrobial composition. Examples of antimicrobial fragrance compositions are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,479,456, “Antimicrobial Perfume Compositions,” issued Nov. 12, 2002 to Holzner, herein incorporated by reference. Other examples can be found in EPA 10451889, EPA 10433132, WO 93/25185, and WO 98/02044. Such fragrances may exhibit an antimicrobial activity of at least 80% as measured by the “agar surface coating test” (ASCT) of Holzner (U.S. Pat. No. 6,479,456).

To enhance the life of the aroma provided, a fragrance can be combined with a stabilizer to provide sustained release over a prolonged period of time. Examples of stabilizers and related controlled release methods are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,037, “Perfume Fixatives Comprising Polyvinylpyrrolidone and Hydroxypropyl Cellulose,” issued Jan. 9, 2001 to Perring et al., herein incorporated by reference.

As described above, the present invention has numerous different features which may be incorporated into the sheet component. Each of these features can be used independently or in conjunction with other features describe herein. Each of these features, although described in terms of the packaging member, may also be used in conjunction with the dispenser member.

The packaging system of the present invention may be used to package and contain various consumer products including foodstuffs; personal care articles, absorbent personal care articles, cleaning supplies; household goods and other consumer products where it is desirable to have a clean surface on the surface of the container holding these products. Although the packaging system may be used on packages that are open and the contents of the container are used at the first opening of the container, the present invention is advantageously used with containers holding contents that are not completely used at the first opening of the container. Examples of foodstuffs include, for example, milk, juice, cookies, snack foods, such as chips, pretzels and the like, condiments and other food items that are provided to a consumer in a container which is opened or used multiply times prior to the contents of the container from being completely used. Examples of personal care articles include items which are typically liquids, lotions and ointments including, for example, soaps, shampoos, make-up, first aid products, insect repellants, sunscreen and the like. Other personal care articles include items such as facial tissue, wet wipes, dry wipes bath tissue and other paper products. Examples of absorbent personal care articles include, for example, tampons, pantiliners, sanitary napkins, diapers, incontinence pads, training pants, adult incontinence garments and the like. Cleaning supplies includes detergents, cleaning solutions, and the like. Other household goods include, for example, paints, oils, sprays lubricants and the like. Generally, the present packaging system of the present invention is especially useful in packaging consumer products where sanitary or hygienic conditions are desired to convey a message to the user that the product is safe to use and is not unsanitary or unhygienic.

In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the sheet component, with its intermediate layers may be prepared separately from the dispenser or packaging system and supplied separately from the dispenser. That is, the sheet component may be provided to the consumer or user as a refill so that the consumer or user can add a new set of peelable layer to the dispenser when the last layer is removed.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is capable of many modifications and variations without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, the detailed description and examples set forth above are meant to be illustrative only and are not intended to limit, in any manner, the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A packaging system for products, said system comprising a package member configured to receive at least one product, said package member comprising at least one outwardly facing external side surface; a sheet component applied to at least a portion of the external side surface, said sheet component comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, said inner layer comprising an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being at least partially directly or indirectly connected the external side surface of the package member, and the outer face being on the opposite side of the inner layer from the inner face; and an outer layer comprising a first side and an opposite second side wherein the second side faces away from the external side surface of the package member and the first side faces toward the external side surface of the package member, the outer layer being removable from the inner layer and package member.
 2. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the sheet component further comprises at least one intermediate layer positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer, each intermediate layer comprising an inner side and an outer side, the inner side and the outer side being opposite each another and the outer side faces away from the external side surface of the package member.
 3. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein the sheet component comprises between 1 and 10 intermediate layers, and each intermediate layer is removable from the inner layer and the package member.
 4. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is removable from the external side surface of the package component.
 5. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein the inner and the intermediate layers are devoid of any indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the package system.
 6. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the outer layer of the sheet component is coextensive with the external side surface in which the sheet material is applied.
 7. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein each of the layers of the sheet component is coextensive with the external side surface in which the sheet material is applied.
 8. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the package member has two or more outwardly facing external side surfaces comprising a sheet member applied thereto.
 9. The packaging system of claim 8, wherein the package member has at least three to six outwardly facing external side surfaces comprising a sheet member applied thereto.
 10. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the outer face of the outer layer contains indicia indicating the contents of the package member and the inner layer is devoid of indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the package member.
 11. The packaging system of claim 11, wherein the external side surface of the packaging member contains indicia which indicates the contents of the packaging member.
 12. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the outer layer contains indicia indicating the contents of the package member and the inner layer and the intermediate layers are devoid of indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the package member.
 13. The packaging system of claim 12, wherein the inner layer and the intermediate layers each have different decorative features.
 14. The packaging system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the intermediate layers is devoid of decorative features and is devoid of indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the package member.
 15. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the inner or intermediate layers comprises an aroma or fragrance which is released when a layer is removed.
 16. The packaging system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the inner or intermediate layers comprises an aroma or fragrance which is released when a layer is removed.
 17. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the product is a consumer product.
 18. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the inner layer comprises promotional information, educational information, entertainment items or a combination thereof.
 19. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the inner layers or one of the intermediate layers comprises promotional information, educational information, entertainment items or a combination thereof.
 20. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein each subsequent layer of the sheet component between the outer layer and the inner layer has higher peel strength than the previous layer.
 21. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the layers comprises a decorative layer and one or more of the other layers comprise a clear layer.
 22. The packaging system of claim 21, wherein a decorative layer is subjacent a clear layer.
 23. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein one or more of the layers of the sheet component comprise an antimicrobial material.
 24. A dispenser comprising a dispensing member configured to receive and contain a product, said dispenser member comprising an outwardly facing external side surface; a sheet component comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, said inner layer comprising an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being at least partially directly or indirectly connected the external side surface of the dispenser member, and the outer face being on the opposite side of the inner layer from the inner face; and an outer layer comprising a first side and an opposite second side wherein the second side faces away from the external side surface of the dispenser member and the first side faces toward the external side surface of the dispenser member, the outer layer being removable from the inner layer and dispenser member; and at least two products contained within the dispenser member.
 25. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein the sheet component further comprises at least one intermediate layer positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer, each intermediate layer comprising an inner side and an outer side, the inner side and the outer side being opposite one another and the outer side faces away from the external side surface of the dispensing member.
 26. The dispenser of claim 25, wherein the sheet component comprises between 1 and 10 intermediate layers, and each intermediate layer is removable from the inner layer and the dispensing member.
 27. The dispenser of claim 24, wherein the inner layer is removable from the external side surface of the dispenser member.
 28. The dispenser of claim 24, wherein the inner layer and the intermediate layer are devoid of any indicia which tend to indicate the contents of the dispenser member.
 29. The dispenser of claim 25, wherein at least one of the inner or intermediate layers comprises an aroma or fragrance which is released when a layer is removed.
 30. The dispenser of claim 25, wherein at least one of inner layer or one of the intermediate layers comprises promotional information, educational information, entertainment items or a combination thereof.
 31. The packaging system of claim 25, wherein each subsequent layer of the sheet component between the outer layer and the inner layer has higher peel strength than the previous layer.
 32. The packaging system of claim 25, wherein at least one of the layers comprises a decorative layer and one or more of the other layers comprise a clear layer.
 33. The packaging system of claim 25, wherein a decorative layer is subjacent a clear layer.
 34. The packaging system of claim 25, wherein one or more of the layers of the sheet component comprise an antimicrobial material.
 35. A sheet component for a dispenser member comprising a sheet component comprising an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer, said inner layer comprising an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being adapted to be directly or indirectly connected to the external side surface of a dispenser member, and the outer face being on an opposite side of the inner layer from the inner face; the outer layer comprising a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the second side faces away from the inner layer, the outer layer being removable from the inner layer and the at least one intermediate layer, and each intermediate layer comprising an inner side and an outer side, the inner side and the outer side being opposite one another and the outer side faces away from the inner layer and towards the outer layer. 